Upgrading, have $500

N

Nali

n00b
Joined
Jun 23, 2006
Messages
26
I got $500 to spend and I'm looking to upgrade my computer.

Here's something I have in mind:

I'm going to get a PhysX card but I'm not sure as to what else I should get.

Perhaps a PSU, or maybe water-cooling.


Current Specs:
P4 3.2 Prescott(HT)
480W Powmax PSU(It's blue, and costs 25 dollars)
2 gigs of ddr 400 ram
x1600 512 mb
asus P4P800-E Deluxe
random 80GB Hard Drive
Stock cooling on everything.

Any reccomendations?
 
IMO Its not worth getting the physic's cards yet, there is simple not enough games designed to work with them, I would spend the money else where.
I would look into Cooling, Video, and maybe an 10,000 drive
 
I just bought this vid card and it's the best my mobo supports, so I can't get any new video cards, the vid card I have came with an IceQ cooler though. I just got a paycheck, and I'm saving for an intel Kingsfield, whenever it comes out. This $500 is what's left after savings.

What would you reccomend for cooling. I have an Antec P180 currently with all fan slots full with 120mm, 120CFM fans. I even "made" a fan slot in the lower HDD chamber with zip-ties.
 
If your temps are good enough, I personally would not care about cooling.

Save your money until you can upgrade the platform, although you might want to get a SATA HD or something. That is, if your mobo supports SATA.
 
I'm not sure if this is a bug, or a feature with my CPU. It idles at 45ishC and runs at about 70C under load.
 
Are you overclocking?

Those temps are high imo. If you are not overclocking, then you might want to look at taking your HSF off, cleaning up the paste, and reapply your paste to try and get your temps down.

Other than that I would just put the money away for a whole new system later.
 
KevinO said:
Are you overclocking?

Those temps are high imo. If you are not overclocking, then you might want to look at taking your HSF off, cleaning up the paste, and reapply your paste to try and get your temps down.

Other than that I would just put the money away for a whole new system later.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. Other than perhaps reseating your heatsink, I think it'd be best just waiting to build a new system later. Hell, you could build a new system for $500!
 
quadnad said:
I completely agree. Other than perhaps reseating your heatsink, I think it'd be best just waiting to build a new system later. Hell, you could build a new system for $500!
Click to expand...

Will do when I get home
 
also get some latest artic silver, i beleve its 7
that stuff works great, droped my temps down 5 degree's from switching to it :D
and remember, thin light coat of the stuff, too much is bad
 
Nali said:
too much is bad?
oops
Click to expand...

sarcasm? I'm not sure, but just in case, this is the amount you should apply. Then just slap the heatsink ontop, and it will spread out the paste b/c of the weight/pressure.
 
quadnad said:
sarcasm? I'm not sure, but just in case, this is the amount you should apply. Then just slap the heatsink ontop, and it will spread out the paste b/c of the weight/pressure.
Click to expand...
i always take a plastic bag and stick my finger in it so the paste does not get on my finger and smooth it out over the chip, forming a thin layer accross the hole chip
 
-(Xyphox)- said:
i always take a plastic bag and stick my finger in it so the paste does not get on my finger and smooth it out over the chip, forming a thin layer accross the hole chip
Click to expand...

is that wise? plastic bags = possible static electricity - doesn't seem like a good idea... use an anti-static bag! =)
 
-(Xyphox)- said:
i always take a plastic bag and stick my finger in it so the paste does not get on my finger and smooth it out over the chip, forming a thin layer accross the hole chip
Click to expand...

its really preference, but I far prefer using the tiniest amount in the center and letting it spread itself out...no air bubbles and you've guaranteed the thinnest layer.

@ OP: if you do choose to spread it out, remember the objective is AS THIN AS POSSIBLE!
 
I would prob get a bigger and/or better harddrive. Maybe one of those dell 160GB Raptor. Maybe a bigger LCD(unless you have a good one). Or just save the $$ until you have more $$ to buy something better.
 
quadnad said:
its really preference, but I far prefer using the tiniest amount in the center and letting it spread itself out...no air bubbles and you've guaranteed the thinnest layer.

@ OP: if you do choose to spread it out, remember the objective is AS THIN AS POSSIBLE!
Click to expand...
I know, i use a very thin layer i have built many many pc's in my day
kinda perfected it over time
 
I would put a quality PSU first on the list, so that any other upgrades you purchase will have the stability to run properly.
 
Your system specs look up-to-date enough, that upgrading anything would be a waste of money IMO. Faster/Larger Harddrives would be a good upgrade, and then Either good air-cooling or watercooling to help you OC your prescott and video card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top